The Road Travelled, The Road Ahead
Eu-phor'-ia: a feeling of well-being or elation.
Much has been written and spoken about the results of the last election and why it happened. Certainly it was one of the most unusual in modern history considering the extremity of the nationwide political realignment at multiple levels of government. Something drastic must have happened to cause this upheaval. Well, of course there is the Recession. The economy is always a major political driving influence. Yet, there have been recessions in the past, many of which had political repercussions, but not like this one.
What was different this time was the unipolarity of government in place at the time. Yes, it all started under Bush, but there was a Democratic Congress at the time, hence the argument that it's all Bush's fault lacks credibility. Since 2008, government was solidly in the hands of one party, executive and legislative. You can argue all you want that without trillion-dollar stimuli, it would have been worse, but it's so bad that that's hard to imagine and harder to sell. It is what it is, a mess, and the Democratic government's policies did not fix it.
What we did get from the Dems is a bunch of massive social legislation to fix things that, while not perfect, were not crying for reconstruction. However, that's what we got while unemployment soared and stuck. What also rankled was the way it was done, largely behind closed doors and under the table. The arrogance of thinking that they could fix everything--or most everything--in a few years led to their downfall. The frog jumped.
Lord Acton observed eons ago that "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." I would substitute "arrogant" for "corrupt", the latter being probably a bit strong. I think lots of folks, lots and lots, suddenly looked up and said, "Whoa! What's happening here? Everything is changing so fast and it scares me." The result was a sort of popular revolt, typified by the fatally disregarded and reviled Tea Party movement, which was to most folks obviously not a bunch of lily-white red-neck racists. The underestimating was truly bi-partisan, to the dismay of more than one career Republican. You can disdain Sarah Palin all you want, but she is an influence and much of the proletariat likes her. Arrogance, again.
So, the sleeping lion woke up and roared, and career politicians fell like the blackbirds from the sky. Both parties should beware because, like it or not, Sarah and the Tea folks are not going away for quite awhile. The economy is changing permanently and so is the political landscape. Those disenfranchised pols waiting for the dust to settle to come back to the trough better be prepared for a very long wait. Whether this is all good is arguable, but in my humble opinion and from long experience government-watching, I think it was necessary. The arrogance of our "public servants," an oxymoron if there ever was one, had gotten out of control and had to be reined in for the good of the Republic. Lord Acton would be pleased.
The road ahead is not as smooth as the Republicans in their new-euphoric confidence think it will be. The party is heavily split between Tea-Party idealistic conservatives and the entrenched, more pragmatic old guard, and there is still a left-wing president firmly entrenched for most of two more years. I think William Shakespeare's, "... a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing" may apply for quite awhile. Eventually, however, it may all shake out and at least a bit of humility permeate the alabaster halls of government. It may actually in a small way begin to resemble Honest Abe's government of, by and for the people. Wouldn't that be nice; haven't seen that for awhile.
But beware, the lion is still awake.
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42 Comments
irked - Jan 09, 2011 1:21 AM
blog the more I find your writing enjoyable ,or at least this time ..
jman99 - Jan 09, 2011 7:52 AM
http://media.spokesman.com/photos/2011/01/08/sarahpac_0_t470.jpg?84974f3f373deb0dda0f75a22ddd9b7d3a332b26
jman99 - Jan 09, 2011 9:55 AM
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2010/06/15/nv-sen_angle_talks_possibility_of_armed_rebellion_against_tyrannical_government.html
irked - Jan 09, 2011 11:01 AM
PDLS's . So take the time to get well !
irked - Jan 10, 2011 2:18 PM
want ??
jman99 - Jan 10, 2011 7:47 PM
Too much heat I guess
irked - Jan 10, 2011 11:08 PM
aneuhauser - Jan 11, 2011 12:47 AM
aneuhauser - Jan 11, 2011 12:48 AM
jman99 - Jan 11, 2011 5:39 AM
I did not proffer that idea.
Angle did and many of her fellow tea party nutters.
This is what a second amendment solution looks like.
If she was republican, no one would have shot her because Dems don't call for "second amendment solutions".
DeeMarie - Jan 11, 2011 8:56 AM
If Ms. Giffords had been a Republican the focus would have been on the gun. Pray for the victims and that people who are aware of unstable individuals will act to prevent such tragedies
jman99 - Jan 11, 2011 9:19 AM
Angle on the same:
" You know, our Founding Fathers, they put that Second Amendment in there for a good reason and that was for the people to protect themselves against a tyrannical government. And in fact Thomas Jefferson said it's good for a country to have a revolution every 20 years.
I hope that's not where we're going, but, you know, if this Congress keeps going the way it is, people are really looking toward those Second Amendment remedies and saying my goodness what can we do to turn this country around? I'll tell you the first thing we need to do is take Harry Reid out."
Also see
http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/sharron-angles-solution-broken-congress-arm
Who anointed and supported Angle?
Re-loader, gun sight, salvo, Palin.
You reap what you sow
and now you get to plant six in the ground.
jman99 - Jan 11, 2011 12:04 PM
Obama is going to Arizona for the funeral services for the six.
I really hope no other "second amendment solution" advocate show up.
How about you Dee Marie?
irked - Jan 11, 2011 12:56 PM
minding their own business . But I find it weird that you would want a right to do so .
I feel somebody better start watching you for you might go postal !!
irked - Jan 11, 2011 12:59 PM
somebody would not break the law to acquire a gun !! He is very simple in thinking
and does not think through his beliefs ..
jman99 - Jan 11, 2011 1:13 PM
Perhaps you need some comprehension classes.
Obama is going to Arizona for the funeral services for the six.
I really hope no other "second amendment solution" advocate show up.
How about you irked?
sirlaughsalittle - Jan 11, 2011 1:49 PM
remaining unchanged, then it's logical to assume the reaction by the media and
MSNBC would be no different. It's also logical to assume that the reaction by the
president of FOXNEWS would be no different. And for those who harbor the belief
that the media is out to get them? ... logic doesn't apply.
jman99 - Jan 11, 2011 6:59 PM
God keep him safe down there, please.
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name' sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.
irked - Jan 11, 2011 9:16 PM
!! All to protect the o .. What say you nut job -man ?